Affecting the Circulatory and Respiratory Systems

To perform an exercise, we have to provide our body with an energy source called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), we produce this energy from the circulatory and respiratory systems.

This is how it all starts: 

It all starts with external respiration, we perform respiration by inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide or also known as inspiration and expiration. The oxygen is inhaled through the trachea, larynx and bronchi and then splits into the left and right bronchus. The oxygen would travel through the bronchioles and then, to the alveolus.

Starting from the alveolus, this is now called internal respiration. Inside the alveolus, gas exchange occurs. The oxygen would diffuse into the capillary and then goes to the red blood cells. From here, the red blood cells are carried into the heart's left atrium through the pulmonary veins which then would pass the bicuspid valve. Oxygen is then pumped from the left ventricle into all the cells in our body going through the aortic valve and then into the aorta. The oxygenated blood is carried to all the parts of the body through the arteries.

After the internal respiration occurs, there is the cellular respiration where glucose (result of the digestive system) is carried into the cell. Glucose is too large to enter the mitochondria so it gets broken into two parts using 2 ATP. Finally, they enter the mitochondria along with oxygen (from respiration) which will create 36-38 ATP. This is a process of the Aerobic Respiration, which is the third energy system. The formula for aerobic respiration is : C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ + 2 ATP è CO₂ + H₂O + ATP energy (36-38)

There is also anaerobic respiration which occurs in the cytoplasm instead of the mitochondria. The difference between aerobic respiration and the anaerobic respiration is that anaerobic respiration produces more less energy but comes earlier then aerobic respiration, it creates lactic acid which makes muscles sore. Anaerobic respiration is also the second energy system to be used after the first one. The formula for anaerobic respiration is : C₆H₁₂O₆ è2C₃H₆O₃ + ATP energy (2)

http://www.austincc.edu/apreview/NursingPics/RespiratoryPics/Picture4.jpg 

 By : Micheline